Lakers Are Letting Me Be Me… I Still Have a Long Way to Go, but I’m Starting to Feel Like Myself Again
Luka Dončić’s move to the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the biggest stories of the season. After years of carrying the Dallas Mavericks, the Slovenian superstar found himself in a new environment, and early struggles raised questions about whether he could adjust to playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, as the season has progressed, Dončić has started to rediscover his rhythm.
“The Lakers are letting me be me,” Dončić said in a recent interview. “I still have a long way to go, but I’m starting to feel like myself again.”
That statement reflects the journey he’s been on. In Dallas, Dončić was the unquestioned leader, controlling the offense and shouldering the majority of the scoring and playmaking duties. In Los Angeles, he has had to adapt to a different system, one where he shares the floor with other dominant stars. Early on, it was clear he was adjusting—his numbers dipped slightly, and his usual free-flowing style seemed constrained. But now, as he gets more comfortable, Lakers fans are seeing flashes of the player who has been an MVP candidate year after year.
His recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, with triple-doubles and clutch moments reminding the league why he’s one of the best in the game. If Dončić continues on this path, the Lakers may have unlocked a version of him that can help lead them to another championship.
For Dončić, feeling like himself again might just mean bad news for the rest of the NBA.
